Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-05-11

DOdOp' inquired tall and stately young
lady in an elegant morning dress of
SERVES blue satin. IBID they have the
kind of pacha braid wanted at the store?
or did YOU forget your errand. and stay
all the time gossiping with that simple
old Mrs. Merron?"
The rose tint deepened to crimson on
Dodo's pretty cheek, but she did not
choose to explain what had deferred her
at Mrs. Merron's cottage on the hill.
II couldn't get the braid, Greta; they
don't keep it, she answered. at is a
bonnet braid. anyhow, and that wouldn't
do for your dress
"a bonnet braid! dear me! How stupid
country dressmaker can ben' Gretchen
exclaimed impatiently. But if she will
only have the dress finished somehow by
the time Mr.. Lestrange gets here, won't
grumhle about minor blunders. And,
now, Dodo, do be obiging and help me
with the trimmings of this ancient ball
gown"
ut Is too ancient to be reiuvenized,
Greta; it ought to be replaced by new
gown altogether" said Dodo. looking
with decided reluctance at the task sug
gested.
at depends upon you. Dodo. whether
we, any of us, ever have anything new
again." sighed faded little woman from
her invalid chair before the fire.
Dodo looked distressed, and all the
lovely color suddenly paled from the
pretty cheeks.
ooh, aunty, how does it depend on
mep" she fatered, although she guessed
what the allnsion meant.
Mrs. Grey was weeping almost convul-
sively in her invalid chair before the fire:
.What has happened, auntyP" the girl
queried, anxously and affectionately.
Dodo was sincerely attached to her in
valid aunt, whose trials had, indeed, been
many and grevious.
''lt's that mortgage" was the piteons
answer. There is to be an immediate
foreclosure. We shall be absolutely
homeless there won't be 800 lett after
the sale. don't care for myself, nor so
much on Greta's account-she can earn
her own living if she chooses; but there
are the poor chldren-Tommy and Willy
What will become of them?"
Dodo stopped and kissed her aunt in
gentle sympathy. but she was silent.
"Dodo, can't ask you to do anything
that might make you unhappy, 1.-THE weep
ing woman resumed, land it seems cruel
to remind you that | have been like a
mother to you. But, my dear. If you only
would consider everything and then de-
eide to do what would like. And David
is waiting for you. dear; he is in the par
lor now"
Dodo's pretty face flushed with sud
den sense of her own lack of feeling fol
others. She had not considered every
thing as she might have done-that was
certain.
Mrs. Grey had indeed been like mother
10 her In her orphaned and pennies
childhood she had been taken into the
family as one of their own. She haC
shared and shared alike with them il
everything; no hint of her dependence
lad ever been permitted to pain her
Even the selfish and sometimes disagree
able Greta had greeted her entirely as ;
sister. And when the dear. kind uncle
left them she mourned him as one WHIT
had been to her like an indulgent father.
The flush had vanished from her prett,
cheeks: her face was pale and her biz
brown eyes very serious as she opened
the parlor door and advanced rather tim
idly toward the gentleman waiting to
her.
The serious eyes dropped and her voice
choked as she glanced at the earnest tac'
and fine Saxon looking figure of her pa
tent. true and old lover.
How could she have tried to shut he
foolish heart against the love of one al
noble and loyal everp she wondered.
But she meant to be frank with him
she would confess all her folly-she woul'
even tell him about that dreadful mort
gage and then, if he loved her no longer
she could not blame him.
He misinterpreted the agitation of tn
pale face, and checked the confession be
fore it was begun.
81 am not here to hurry your answer
Dodo," he said very gently. You shall
have your own time about that. nv dar
ling. | have come on quite different er
rand. have lust learned that your aun
had been threatened with with some Fl
nancial trouble, and have ventured Il
adjust the matter bv buying the mortgage
Know how hard it would be for her t,
give up her old home and how hard i
would be for you to see her in such dis
tress when she has always been such ,
good mother to you. And so | just tool
! the affair in my own hands, and her trou
BILE is ended. Why. Dodo, my little love
what is this? ?" he finished in surprise.
For Dodo had suddenly flung hersel
4 face downward on the sofa, and was cry
ing as if her heart would break.
'And it was the mortgage which hat
come between you and me. David" sh'
cried with a nervous laugh, ming!ins
with the sound of tears. II wouldn'
marry you just because poor aunty want
ed your help about it, and tried to hat
you. and"
\ "And you couldn't" he interrupted, il
. a voice shaken in its sudden deep sadness
and he took her into his arms and kisset
: the wet eyes and quivering lips.
. II couldn't" she admitted with charm
ing trankness; IL loved you all the time